Teenage Parties: Keeping Your Child Safe

Reviewed Jul 31, 2020

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Summary

  • Talk to your teen ahead of time.
  • Do not allow alcohol, drug, or tobacco use.
  • Do not allow guests to leave with an impaired driver.

Most teens love to socialize. They love to chill out with old friends and meet up with new ones. They don’t even need a special reason to hang out together. They may stare at their phones the whole time, but at least they’re not alone.

Most teens also love to celebrate. So when a special occasion does come along, it’s a great excuse to get together. Whether it is a birthday, prom or graduation, teens are eager to party. Sadly, to some teens this means using drugs and alcohol.

Consider the risks

Whether planning a teen party or planning to let your teen attend one, think twice. There are a number of potential problems to consider. This is especially true when drugs or alcohol are involved.

Some of the risk factors when teens become impaired include:

  • Increased violence
  • Increased sexual activity
  • Driving under the influence
  • Injury from accidents
  • Overdose

Another point to consider is the social media factor. Kids may post party pictures that are damaging to their parents, peers or themselves. Their posts may also draw uninvited guests to the party.

Pre-plan

Not every teen or teen party needs to get out of hand. You can positively affect the outcome by pre-planning. Reach out for help from other parents whose kids will be attending. Talk to your own teen ahead of time so you will be on the same page. Make sure he understands what you expect should and should not happen at the party.

Before allowing your teen to attend a party, make sure you have the following details:

  • The address of the where it takes place
  • When it starts and when it ends
  • Who will be driving
  • Who will be attending
  • Whose parents will be present
  • The parents’ names and cell phone numbers
  • Assurance that it will be drug and alcohol free

If you are hosting a party for teens, be sure to set clear ground rules:

  • Have a set guest list
  • Have a set start and end time
  • Have a set volume for music
  • Keep the house well lit
  • Keep bedroom doors locked
  • Do not allow alcohol, drug or tobacco use
  • Do not allow guests to leave and then come back
  • Do not violate local curfew laws
  • Do not allow guests to leave with an impaired driver

The parent trap

Parents often feel trapped when it comes to teen parties. They want their child to have fun and socialize, but they also want to protect her. Parents sometimes differ on whether alcohol should be allowed at teen parties. Some believe teens will drink anyway, so they might as well be under adult supervision. The law disagrees though, as parents may be held liable when underage drinking occurs. Even if parents do not supply the alcohol, there will always be kids who try to sneak it. 

By Kevin Rizzo
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/Pages/A-Parents-Guide-To-Teen-Parties.aspx; ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/US/social-host-law-kids-drink-house-jail-maine/story?id=19391725

Summary

  • Talk to your teen ahead of time.
  • Do not allow alcohol, drug, or tobacco use.
  • Do not allow guests to leave with an impaired driver.

Most teens love to socialize. They love to chill out with old friends and meet up with new ones. They don’t even need a special reason to hang out together. They may stare at their phones the whole time, but at least they’re not alone.

Most teens also love to celebrate. So when a special occasion does come along, it’s a great excuse to get together. Whether it is a birthday, prom or graduation, teens are eager to party. Sadly, to some teens this means using drugs and alcohol.

Consider the risks

Whether planning a teen party or planning to let your teen attend one, think twice. There are a number of potential problems to consider. This is especially true when drugs or alcohol are involved.

Some of the risk factors when teens become impaired include:

  • Increased violence
  • Increased sexual activity
  • Driving under the influence
  • Injury from accidents
  • Overdose

Another point to consider is the social media factor. Kids may post party pictures that are damaging to their parents, peers or themselves. Their posts may also draw uninvited guests to the party.

Pre-plan

Not every teen or teen party needs to get out of hand. You can positively affect the outcome by pre-planning. Reach out for help from other parents whose kids will be attending. Talk to your own teen ahead of time so you will be on the same page. Make sure he understands what you expect should and should not happen at the party.

Before allowing your teen to attend a party, make sure you have the following details:

  • The address of the where it takes place
  • When it starts and when it ends
  • Who will be driving
  • Who will be attending
  • Whose parents will be present
  • The parents’ names and cell phone numbers
  • Assurance that it will be drug and alcohol free

If you are hosting a party for teens, be sure to set clear ground rules:

  • Have a set guest list
  • Have a set start and end time
  • Have a set volume for music
  • Keep the house well lit
  • Keep bedroom doors locked
  • Do not allow alcohol, drug or tobacco use
  • Do not allow guests to leave and then come back
  • Do not violate local curfew laws
  • Do not allow guests to leave with an impaired driver

The parent trap

Parents often feel trapped when it comes to teen parties. They want their child to have fun and socialize, but they also want to protect her. Parents sometimes differ on whether alcohol should be allowed at teen parties. Some believe teens will drink anyway, so they might as well be under adult supervision. The law disagrees though, as parents may be held liable when underage drinking occurs. Even if parents do not supply the alcohol, there will always be kids who try to sneak it. 

By Kevin Rizzo
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/Pages/A-Parents-Guide-To-Teen-Parties.aspx; ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/US/social-host-law-kids-drink-house-jail-maine/story?id=19391725

Summary

  • Talk to your teen ahead of time.
  • Do not allow alcohol, drug, or tobacco use.
  • Do not allow guests to leave with an impaired driver.

Most teens love to socialize. They love to chill out with old friends and meet up with new ones. They don’t even need a special reason to hang out together. They may stare at their phones the whole time, but at least they’re not alone.

Most teens also love to celebrate. So when a special occasion does come along, it’s a great excuse to get together. Whether it is a birthday, prom or graduation, teens are eager to party. Sadly, to some teens this means using drugs and alcohol.

Consider the risks

Whether planning a teen party or planning to let your teen attend one, think twice. There are a number of potential problems to consider. This is especially true when drugs or alcohol are involved.

Some of the risk factors when teens become impaired include:

  • Increased violence
  • Increased sexual activity
  • Driving under the influence
  • Injury from accidents
  • Overdose

Another point to consider is the social media factor. Kids may post party pictures that are damaging to their parents, peers or themselves. Their posts may also draw uninvited guests to the party.

Pre-plan

Not every teen or teen party needs to get out of hand. You can positively affect the outcome by pre-planning. Reach out for help from other parents whose kids will be attending. Talk to your own teen ahead of time so you will be on the same page. Make sure he understands what you expect should and should not happen at the party.

Before allowing your teen to attend a party, make sure you have the following details:

  • The address of the where it takes place
  • When it starts and when it ends
  • Who will be driving
  • Who will be attending
  • Whose parents will be present
  • The parents’ names and cell phone numbers
  • Assurance that it will be drug and alcohol free

If you are hosting a party for teens, be sure to set clear ground rules:

  • Have a set guest list
  • Have a set start and end time
  • Have a set volume for music
  • Keep the house well lit
  • Keep bedroom doors locked
  • Do not allow alcohol, drug or tobacco use
  • Do not allow guests to leave and then come back
  • Do not violate local curfew laws
  • Do not allow guests to leave with an impaired driver

The parent trap

Parents often feel trapped when it comes to teen parties. They want their child to have fun and socialize, but they also want to protect her. Parents sometimes differ on whether alcohol should be allowed at teen parties. Some believe teens will drink anyway, so they might as well be under adult supervision. The law disagrees though, as parents may be held liable when underage drinking occurs. Even if parents do not supply the alcohol, there will always be kids who try to sneak it. 

By Kevin Rizzo
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/Pages/A-Parents-Guide-To-Teen-Parties.aspx; ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/US/social-host-law-kids-drink-house-jail-maine/story?id=19391725

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